Volunteering in Sri Lanka - What It Taught Me About Healing

Last year, I travelled overseas on a trip that changed the way I view my work and deepened my passion for helping others heal. One of the most impactful parts of that journey was my time in Sri Lanka, where I volunteered at a women’s shelter for women and children with disabilities.

The shelter was run by seven sisters, an incredible family of women who had dedicated their lives to creating safety, stability, and care for people living in circumstances most of us could hardly imagine. Many of the women and children in their care were navigating the challenges of disability, trauma, and poverty, with little to no support from government systems.

Despite the shelter being led by skilled, compassionate hands, the reality was stark, resources were limited, and funding was scarce. They made do with what they had, often stretching every dollar to cover food, medicine, and basic supplies. Seeing this firsthand was humbling and heartbreaking, a reminder of how much we take for granted when it comes to healthcare and social support in Australia.

Yet, within those walls, I saw something extraordinary. I saw resilience, hope, and the quiet strength that comes from care and connection. These women and children, despite everything they had endured, found light through community, through being truly seen and supported, and through the smallest acts of kindness and consistency from the sisters and those around them.

That experience completely changed how I see healing. It is not only about addressing physical health or relieving pain, it is about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported, no matter what they are facing. It is about going deeper, looking at the roots of pain and stress, and giving people the tools, care, and connection they need to feel empowered again.

This experience is one of the reasons I created The Healing Field. I wanted it to be more than just a clinic, I wanted it to be a space where people can slow down, feel held, and know that they are more than just their symptoms. Whether you are an athlete, someone living with chronic pain, or someone feeling overwhelmed by life, my goal is to support you in a way that honours both your body and your nervous system.

Healing, at its core, is about connection, to yourself, to others, and to the belief that change and recovery are possible.

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Dr. Sachi DeGiacomi